Relating to natural resources, including office locations of the director of natural resources, state park user fee pilot programs, the delegation of powers and duties concerning state preserves, and age requirements for hunting deer with pistols or revolvers

This bill relates to natural resources, including office locations for the director of the department of natural resources, state park user fee pilot programs, the delegation of powers and duties concerning state preserves, and age requirements for hunting deer with pistols or revolvers. The bill removes references to the Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state park user fee pilot programs that repealed by their own terms on December 31, 2025. Under current law, the director of the department of natural resources (DNR) must maintain an office at the state capitol. The bill allows the office to be at or near the state capitol. Under current law, DNR has certain powers and duties regarding state preserves. The bill transfers all these powers and duties to the natural resource commission. Under current law, a person who is 20 years of age of less is not allowed to hunt deer with a pistol or revolver unless accompanied by person who is at least 21 years of age with a valid hunting license and with the consent of a parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least 21 years of age. The bill changes the age threshold from 20 years of age or less to under the age of 18. The bill also makes corresponding changes to supervision requirements by allowing a person who is 18 years old or older with a valid hunting license and the required consent to supervise a person under the age of 18 in hunting deer with a pistol or revolver with certain limitations.